1 00:00:06,39 --> 00:00:10,09 Hello Astaire I'm Jeremy Johnson Internet W C.C.A. 2 00:00:10,10 --> 00:00:14,29 And I'm joined today by the vice president of marking marketing and communications 3 00:00:14,63 --> 00:00:16,05 for Westerville as H.C. 4 00:00:16,06 --> 00:00:21,21 Eric Lindquist thanks for joining us today Eric Thanks Jeremy glad to be here and I 5 00:00:21,22 --> 00:00:24,81 guess let's start off. Would you say that from 6 00:00:24,82 --> 00:00:29,71 a young age it's been your passion to wake where can sports and broadcasting and 7 00:00:29,72 --> 00:00:35,35 communications for sure I grew up in North Andover mass about forty five minutes 8 00:00:35,36 --> 00:00:39,27 north of Boston and I grew up going to Merrimack College games as 9 00:00:39,28 --> 00:00:40,59 a little kid and was 10 00:00:40,60 --> 00:00:44,70 a huge foster Bruins fan my my family would go to Bruins game so I was 11 00:00:44,71 --> 00:00:49,84 a big Christmas present growing up and I knew right off the bat I really like 12 00:00:49,85 --> 00:00:55,33 talking I played hockey but I wasn't good enough to play in college so I kind of 13 00:00:55,34 --> 00:01:00,78 transition over to behind the microphone and Northeastern and from there I've been 14 00:01:00,79 --> 00:01:06,76 able to make a career out of it and I've had a really good time doing so so I'm in 15 00:01:06,77 --> 00:01:11,46 a good spot here with the rail ors and happy to be part of getting you know pro 16 00:01:11,47 --> 00:01:16,65 hockey back here western and who would you say some of your old models growing up 17 00:01:16,66 --> 00:01:18,21 where well I guess I was 18 00:01:18,22 --> 00:01:22,94 a big Boston Bruins fan so I grew up listening to Fred Cusick and Derek Sanderson 19 00:01:23,01 --> 00:01:24,33 on the old T.V. 20 00:01:24,34 --> 00:01:28,50 Thirty eight I was a huge fan of those two I never missed 21 00:01:28,51 --> 00:01:33,99 a Bruins game growing up you know back in my parents to stay up late and watch and 22 00:01:34,00 --> 00:01:40,78 so. For shows Frank Cusick and Derek Sanderson and. You know you again 23 00:01:40,79 --> 00:01:43,53 the they put excitement into the game and they were 24 00:01:43,54 --> 00:01:50,40 a big fan of the hockey fight and I always tried to. It's going to mirror 25 00:01:50,44 --> 00:01:55,40 my call from those two growing up where you're still the Bruins fan when you were 26 00:01:55,41 --> 00:01:58,58 in the Sharks organization or did you kind of transfer over to being 27 00:01:58,59 --> 00:02:02,53 a Sharks fan. Instead of a Bruins fan Well I guess I was 28 00:02:02,54 --> 00:02:06,47 a big Bruins fan growing up I was an interned for the Boston Bruins for three years 29 00:02:06,48 --> 00:02:10,46 when I was in college and then I kind of bounced around 30 00:02:10,52 --> 00:02:15,73 a little bit before I got the Sharks gig I was working in will for the loch 31 00:02:15,74 --> 00:02:19,44 monsters I was in Long Beach in the C.H.L. 32 00:02:19,45 --> 00:02:25,54 For the Ice Dogs and then I got the shark skin. You know I guess I was you know 33 00:02:25,55 --> 00:02:27,81 Bruins fan growing up but now I'm more of 34 00:02:27,82 --> 00:02:34,24 a hockey fan so you know I follow you know hockey at all levels the C.H.L. E.H.L.O. 35 00:02:34,69 --> 00:02:36,53 Junior hockey N.H.L. 36 00:02:37,28 --> 00:02:40,47 You know hockey in Europe so I don't think I'm 37 00:02:40,48 --> 00:02:45,95 a Bruins fan now. You know in my as Sharks fan now at the rail or as I'll certainly 38 00:02:45,96 --> 00:02:50,82 be following the sharks this year the Barracuda from was stir but I wouldn't say 39 00:02:50,98 --> 00:02:53,25 I'm a big Sharks fan but I'll be rooting for 40 00:02:53,26 --> 00:02:57,43 a lot of the staff the players and was a this year can you kind of go into 41 00:02:57,44 --> 00:03:00,97 a little bit of detail what the final season for the sharks was like I know they 42 00:03:00,98 --> 00:03:04,20 were here for nine years and it was kind of 43 00:03:04,21 --> 00:03:11,05 a rough. Go for fans because they wanted the team to stay but 44 00:03:11,40 --> 00:03:16,61 it kind of fell into alignment with moving on out west because it didn't make sense 45 00:03:16,62 --> 00:03:21,29 logistically to fly them back and forth call ups and downs and what was that kind 46 00:03:21,30 --> 00:03:24,03 of like for you guys in the front office well you know you say it was 47 00:03:24,04 --> 00:03:28,90 a rough go for the fans it wasn't all that easy for the staff either you know 48 00:03:28,91 --> 00:03:32,83 a lot of the staff and working for the Sharks for you know well over nine years and 49 00:03:33,68 --> 00:03:37,08 you know we didn't necessarily want the team to move from Western to San Jose 50 00:03:37,12 --> 00:03:41,46 a lot of our staff you know grew up in the area had families in the area and they 51 00:03:41,47 --> 00:03:44,75 knew they weren't going to San Jose so it was a you know 52 00:03:44,76 --> 00:03:49,48 a difficult season for everyone really but you know the staff wanted to make sure 53 00:03:49,49 --> 00:03:50,83 that the last season was 54 00:03:51,15 --> 00:03:55,72 a memorable one we celebrated twenty years of professional hockey and was 55 00:03:55,90 --> 00:03:57,32 a level with the ice cats 56 00:03:57,48 --> 00:04:02,51 a level with the sharks and we wanted to make sure that was to sharks staff as 57 00:04:02,52 --> 00:04:04,46 a whole wanted to make sure that it was 58 00:04:04,47 --> 00:04:10,79 a good sendoff for the team to go to San Jose and we try to involve you know former 59 00:04:10,83 --> 00:04:15,73 you know ice cats and Sharks players and we really wanted to celebrate you know 60 00:04:15,74 --> 00:04:20,09 a great run that was sure had of American Hockey League action and I think we're 61 00:04:20,10 --> 00:04:24,44 pretty successful doing that and I think the sharks left and everyone kind of you 62 00:04:24,45 --> 00:04:28,39 know sure they didn't want to see us leave but at the same time I think everyone 63 00:04:28,40 --> 00:04:34,41 understood why they were leaving and and and we knew that if we left the right way 64 00:04:34,42 --> 00:04:39,28 the sharks left the right way to San Jose we wanted to make sure that that be an 65 00:04:39,29 --> 00:04:44,00 opportunity for another hockey team to come into was stir and Cliff rocker of the 66 00:04:44,01 --> 00:04:48,93 owner of the rail ors saw that opportunity and we're lucky enough now to to have 67 00:04:48,94 --> 00:04:54,14 Clif the rail ors and get things going in October two thousand and seventeen and 68 00:04:54,15 --> 00:04:59,23 you kind of eager for the puck to drop I can't wait I'm dying right now. Chomping 69 00:04:59,24 --> 00:05:04,30 at the bit I'm not quite sure. What I'm going to be doing you know the weekends for 70 00:05:04,31 --> 00:05:07,19 the next you know seven or eight. I'm sure I'll find 71 00:05:07,20 --> 00:05:13,83 a hockey rink somewhere you know to go and watch but you know I I 72 00:05:13,84 --> 00:05:18,72 enjoy my job because of the games because of the fans the players and it's 73 00:05:18,73 --> 00:05:22,49 certainly going to be an adjustment for me will be the first time that I don't work 74 00:05:22,50 --> 00:05:29,50 a hockey season and I don't know in twenty years so it will just last weekend I 75 00:05:29,51 --> 00:05:34,85 went to the college game with our new head coach Jamie Russell just to kind of go 76 00:05:34,86 --> 00:05:35,07 into 77 00:05:35,08 --> 00:05:39,60 a rink and watch some hockey so I don't have to try to stay busy over the next seventy 78 00:05:39,64 --> 00:05:40,96 months but I know we have 79 00:05:40,97 --> 00:05:46,22 a lot of exciting activities plans for our members where to try to get you know the 80 00:05:46,23 --> 00:05:51,29 entire city involves of what the real or so have to offer moving forward so we'll 81 00:05:51,30 --> 00:05:52,67 be busy but just not 82 00:05:52,72 --> 00:05:57,07 a hockey game busy over the next nine months are you going to go to Providence at 83 00:05:57,08 --> 00:06:00,13 all this year just to get your hockey fix I might go to 84 00:06:00,14 --> 00:06:01,72 a couple of games you know I'm 85 00:06:01,73 --> 00:06:06,93 a hockey fan so I'll check out some games in Providence I'll probably go to Boston 86 00:06:06,97 --> 00:06:13,36 I'll check out some college hockey Springfield's close to Manchester Macon doing 87 00:06:13,37 --> 00:06:17,35 some road trips this year might even fly out west to San Jose to catch 88 00:06:17,36 --> 00:06:22,79 a handful of games so my schedule weekend wise is somewhat open and I'll certainly 89 00:06:22,80 --> 00:06:27,47 be putting on some miles on the car day to check out some hockey and they know when 90 00:06:27,48 --> 00:06:33,24 the Sharks departed you went out with them when they turned into the Barracuda What 91 00:06:33,25 --> 00:06:36,53 was that decision process like for you because I know it's kind of 92 00:06:36,54 --> 00:06:41,29 a big decision to pack everything up move out west and then move back again so why 93 00:06:41,30 --> 00:06:45,65 just had a small one bedroom apartment in Worcester at studio so it wasn't 94 00:06:45,69 --> 00:06:51,45 a lot for me but I was excited for the opportunity as you mention 95 00:06:51,46 --> 00:06:55,11 a bunch of the other American hockey teams moved out west to be closer to the 96 00:06:55,12 --> 00:06:59,19 energy L. Affiliate and I get to call games last year at the S.E.P. 97 00:06:59,20 --> 00:07:03,28 Center the shark tank where you know the San Jose Sharks play so that was neat 98 00:07:03,72 --> 00:07:03,91 there was 99 00:07:03,92 --> 00:07:09,61 a lot of different cities I got to visit. Last year San Diego Austin Bakersfield 100 00:07:09,62 --> 00:07:13,96 stocked in you know the whole West Coast so that was you know 101 00:07:13,97 --> 00:07:19,67 a different experience and. You know it was different but I'm glad I went I'm glad 102 00:07:19,68 --> 00:07:25,32 I got to experience that but I was keeping close tabs on what was going on here and 103 00:07:25,33 --> 00:07:29,78 it was stir when you know the flock are announced at the fan fest at the rail or so 104 00:07:29,79 --> 00:07:33,10 coming in in two thousand and seventeen and kind of spurred my interest 105 00:07:33,11 --> 00:07:37,49 a little bit and then when the team announced Mike Myers as president who was good 106 00:07:37,50 --> 00:07:38,12 friends with 107 00:07:38,13 --> 00:07:42,91 a coworker with the sharks I kind of knew deep down that if there was an 108 00:07:42,92 --> 00:07:46,74 opportunity that existed that I'd be interested in coming back with the rail ors 109 00:07:46,75 --> 00:07:49,60 and I talked to you know Mike Byers over the course of 110 00:07:49,61 --> 00:07:54,30 a couple of months and after doing some research on what you know Cliff Rucker had 111 00:07:54,31 --> 00:07:58,46 going on in the city in the different projects that he had and that there might be 112 00:07:58,47 --> 00:08:02,40 opportunity for me to come back here with the rail or so in the C.H.L. 113 00:08:02,41 --> 00:08:07,96 And I jumped on it after talking to Mike Myers so I'm excited to get going so just 114 00:08:07,97 --> 00:08:11,21 taking the vice president role are you also going to be the broadcaster of the 115 00:08:11,22 --> 00:08:15,61 religion twenty seven thousand. Titles or titles I'll be doing 116 00:08:15,62 --> 00:08:20,06 a lot of the same that I did for the sharks that would be including broadcasting 117 00:08:21,04 --> 00:08:24,56 you know we don't have something etched in stone yet when it comes to we'll be 118 00:08:24,57 --> 00:08:28,15 broadcasting our games but I know we're looking at 119 00:08:28,16 --> 00:08:30,18 a lot of different avenues both on T.V. 120 00:08:30,39 --> 00:08:36,09 And radio so I'm certainly excited about that and until we get to that point you 121 00:08:36,10 --> 00:08:40,45 know the office is busy selling memberships putting together marketing plans 122 00:08:40,46 --> 00:08:41,16 putting together 123 00:08:41,17 --> 00:08:46,03 a bench for our members so again as I mentioned just because the pipe doesn't drop 124 00:08:46,04 --> 00:08:48,98 in for another twelve thirteen months there's still 125 00:08:48,99 --> 00:08:53,16 a lot going on and I'm excited to be part of 126 00:08:53,17 --> 00:08:58,88 a fresh new team here and was stir and I'm excited because I really believe that 127 00:08:58,89 --> 00:09:01,81 it's going to work this time you know maybe third time's 128 00:09:01,82 --> 00:09:05,62 a charm you know the ice cats were here for eleven years the Sharks for nine and. 129 00:09:06,59 --> 00:09:07,40 Already seen 130 00:09:07,55 --> 00:09:13,69 a lot of different types of commitments from the ownership here with the rail ors 131 00:09:13,86 --> 00:09:18,69 here in the city of Wister the two new rinks at the Canal district purchasing the 132 00:09:18,70 --> 00:09:19,89 building behind the D.C.U. 133 00:09:19,90 --> 00:09:23,76 Center for the well you know for the rail or stabber and there's 134 00:09:23,77 --> 00:09:29,10 a lot of excitement in different feel this time around with the rail ors that I'm 135 00:09:29,11 --> 00:09:34,99 pretty sure with with the support from the city which I've seen tenfold over the 136 00:09:34,100 --> 00:09:39,60 last you know month or so that it's going to work professional hockey here in 137 00:09:39,61 --> 00:09:40,99 Worcester for 138 00:09:41,00 --> 00:09:44,96 a long time to come how do you think the first season with the Barracuda when you 139 00:09:44,97 --> 00:09:45,38 know 140 00:09:45,52 --> 00:09:50,47 a lot of double headers because you have the Barracuda playing in the Sharks playing 141 00:09:50,48 --> 00:09:53,00 in the same day what was that like it was 142 00:09:53,01 --> 00:09:57,30 a lot of work at thirteen double headers last year with the sharks either played 143 00:09:57,31 --> 00:10:02,01 before or after the San Jose Barracuda you know there was a lot of being 144 00:10:02,02 --> 00:10:04,42 a No it wasn't like the S.E.P. 145 00:10:04,43 --> 00:10:08,34 Center was our whole merino we had to move in everything the day of game and move 146 00:10:08,35 --> 00:10:10,71 everything out as a post when we were at the D.C.U. 147 00:10:10,72 --> 00:10:15,12 Center our Walker was our locker room we had a whole so there was 148 00:10:15,13 --> 00:10:21,83 a lot of moving in and out and back and forth but. You know for it but for all the 149 00:10:21,84 --> 00:10:26,40 work it was kind of cool being able to call you know the barracuda and the con 150 00:10:26,41 --> 00:10:30,96 doors at one o'clock in the afternoon and as I'm writing the game recap and 151 00:10:30,97 --> 00:10:32,22 wrapping up that H.L. 152 00:10:32,23 --> 00:10:36,97 Game I was able to you know watch the Sharks and the kings the same arena that 153 00:10:36,98 --> 00:10:40,75 night so. You know it was a lot of work but it was 154 00:10:40,76 --> 00:10:44,31 a lot of fun and I'm glad I was able to experience that for 155 00:10:44,32 --> 00:10:50,22 a year and I know Roy Summers probably one of the best coaches well loved by 156 00:10:50,65 --> 00:10:56,57 everyone involved. We kind of wish he had broken the all time wins record in 157 00:10:56,58 --> 00:11:00,11 Worcester but he did break it out in San Jose What was that like calling that game 158 00:11:00,12 --> 00:11:02,27 for you you know Roy it was 159 00:11:02,28 --> 00:11:06,33 a big part of the reason why I wanted to go out to the west coast you know. Roy 160 00:11:06,34 --> 00:11:11,16 Sobber his family Marley cast in care of the whole crew they were 161 00:11:11,17 --> 00:11:16,74 a second family to me and you know Roy was awesome to work with the years and was 162 00:11:16,75 --> 00:11:21,20 stirring I did really want to be part of the record breaking when the most wins in 163 00:11:21,21 --> 00:11:24,96 H.L. History by head coach and we went on a bit of 164 00:11:24,97 --> 00:11:28,09 a winning streak and in January and then all of 165 00:11:28,10 --> 00:11:30,01 a sudden I think we lost seven or eight games in 166 00:11:30,02 --> 00:11:32,79 a row before he broke it so there was 167 00:11:32,80 --> 00:11:36,100 a little stress involved before he broke the game but it was quite the 168 00:11:37,01 --> 00:11:40,06 accomplishment I was glad I was behind the mike Ford and to be 169 00:11:40,07 --> 00:11:42,68 a part of it and we got on 170 00:11:42,69 --> 00:11:47,59 a Royal before the sharks and Coyotes game where we got all the players the 171 00:11:47,60 --> 00:11:49,47 Barracuda players on the ice we're going to bring 172 00:11:49,48 --> 00:11:53,09 a boat on the ice before the sharks again so it was 173 00:11:53,10 --> 00:11:57,56 a great experience and I was happy that I was you know being able to be 174 00:11:57,57 --> 00:11:59,10 a part of that I think that's 175 00:11:59,11 --> 00:12:04,18 a record also that aren't think anybody will ever be have of the break no probably 176 00:12:04,19 --> 00:12:07,99 not you know Royce been the head coach of the sharks A.T.L. 177 00:12:07,100 --> 00:12:14,25 Affiliate in Cleveland Wister I mean Kentucky Cleveland Wister now San Jose 178 00:12:14,26 --> 00:12:17,53 so. You're right I don't think it's a win that's 179 00:12:18,01 --> 00:12:22,56 a record that will be broken anytime soon if it is broken so do you still keeping 180 00:12:22,57 --> 00:12:26,24 in contact with all the sharks guys that played in with or that are with the 181 00:12:26,25 --> 00:12:29,65 Barracuda now now that you're back in Wister again yeah you know I mentioned my 182 00:12:29,66 --> 00:12:33,15 Sharks fan maybe a little bit early be rooting for 183 00:12:33,16 --> 00:12:37,26 a lot of the players that came in through was stir been keeping tabs on the Sharks 184 00:12:37,27 --> 00:12:41,71 training camp and and what's going on with the Barracuda training camp which 185 00:12:41,72 --> 00:12:45,31 started earlier this week I've talked to Coach Musha L. 186 00:12:45,32 --> 00:12:48,33 In coach Roy quite a bit over the last you know 187 00:12:48,34 --> 00:12:53,64 a week or two and just kind of get filled in on what's going on so I'll certainly 188 00:12:53,65 --> 00:12:59,09 be keeping tabs on the west coast staying up late watching some games I know I 189 00:12:59,10 --> 00:13:02,45 listened to you all season last year with the Barracuda it was kind of 190 00:13:02,46 --> 00:13:08,95 a difficult transition because we. The time difference the games are ten ten 191 00:13:08,96 --> 00:13:14,58 o'clock here in San Jose seven so it was but. I'm 192 00:13:14,59 --> 00:13:19,43 a night owl so they'll sit right into my schedule nuts who worry about it but 193 00:13:19,44 --> 00:13:19,69 you're right 194 00:13:19,70 --> 00:13:24,17 a lot of late nights you know for Wednesday specially when the game starts at seven 195 00:13:24,18 --> 00:13:27,08 thirty out there of the three hour time change I might be 196 00:13:27,09 --> 00:13:31,83 a little tired there's much when you first got word that professional hockey was 197 00:13:31,84 --> 00:13:36,100 coming back to the city what was your first thought Well again I was keeping tabs 198 00:13:37,31 --> 00:13:42,99 on what was going on and Lyster you know as soon as I got to San Jose and I met 199 00:13:43,00 --> 00:13:45,41 a lot of great people in Worcester a lot of great fans 200 00:13:45,42 --> 00:13:50,68 a lot of you know great colleagues and you know media and coworkers and 201 00:13:50,69 --> 00:13:54,92 a lot of friends so I was keeping tabs of what was going on here and what I was 202 00:13:55,27 --> 00:14:00,33 hoping that Wister would get another hockey team I thought they would especially 203 00:14:00,34 --> 00:14:02,66 the way you know the great sendoff we had 204 00:14:02,67 --> 00:14:07,62 a year twenty with the sharks and. Again I was super happy and excited for 205 00:14:07,63 --> 00:14:12,10 Worcester when it was announced that the regulars were coming on board and it kind 206 00:14:12,11 --> 00:14:17,44 of got me thinking well you know maybe maybe if you know if the opportunity was 207 00:14:17,45 --> 00:14:22,05 right that I'd come back in and help them get things going and the you know the 208 00:14:22,06 --> 00:14:26,19 stars aligned and here I am sitting across from you here Lister that worked out 209 00:14:26,20 --> 00:14:32,25 pretty well you and I back together again after. Having my few color opportunities 210 00:14:32,26 --> 00:14:36,42 next to you in the broadcast booth. Definitely 211 00:14:36,43 --> 00:14:39,63 a fun time you know it's again I'm glad to be back 212 00:14:39,64 --> 00:14:42,90 a lot of familiar faces and I always feel Wister deserves 213 00:14:42,91 --> 00:14:47,72 a professional hockey team and they deserve it the right way and from what I've 214 00:14:47,73 --> 00:14:52,50 seen so far from the frock or in the red you know the rails organization Mike Byers 215 00:14:53,05 --> 00:14:56,00 it's going to be a team that we're going to be able to be proud of in 216 00:14:56,43 --> 00:15:00,98 a winning team Cliff made it very clear to me in my first kind of chat with him 217 00:15:00,99 --> 00:15:05,30 that he wanted to make sure that we're winning here Wister and that was refreshing 218 00:15:05,31 --> 00:15:11,62 to hear. So I'm excited to get things rolling I just wish. I do wish we're playing 219 00:15:11,63 --> 00:15:15,39 beside Tobar but I know all the work that's involved to make sure that we do it the 220 00:15:15,40 --> 00:15:20,57 right way and we wouldn't be ready yet we wouldn't do it you know be able to do it 221 00:15:20,58 --> 00:15:24,73 the right way so I'm glad we have the extra you know twelve months to make sure 222 00:15:24,74 --> 00:15:29,06 that when the puck does drop in two thousand and seventeen that you know the D.C.U. 223 00:15:29,07 --> 00:15:35,48 Center is packed and ready to go. Alongside you again in the broadcast booth is the 224 00:15:35,49 --> 00:15:41,58 curveball and I will try what I know I'm open to any sort of those opportunities 225 00:15:41,59 --> 00:15:42,01 here we had 226 00:15:42,02 --> 00:15:48,94 a blast with the couple of times he came on so. Yeah I don't see why 227 00:15:48,95 --> 00:15:55,77 not I kind of I kind of looked up to for years because I find myself in the T.V. 228 00:15:55,78 --> 00:15:59,68 Business right now but there's that part of me that always wants to get back into 229 00:15:59,69 --> 00:16:03,04 the radio gig and hopefully eventually we're fair 230 00:16:03,14 --> 00:16:07,65 a team because. It's my passion I love it well see I look 231 00:16:07,66 --> 00:16:13,100 a lot better on radio so I prefer the radio side of things but you know again 232 00:16:14,96 --> 00:16:18,84 for the opportunity for you know you allowing me to come on here and tell my story 233 00:16:18,85 --> 00:16:23,47 a little bit and tell a little bit about the railer So it's you know T.V. 234 00:16:23,48 --> 00:16:25,72 Radio social media you know there's 235 00:16:25,73 --> 00:16:30,54 a lot of different mediums to kind of talk hockey in and you know be passionate 236 00:16:30,55 --> 00:16:32,22 about it so I'm excited to be 237 00:16:32,23 --> 00:16:38,46 a part of all and. You're kind of assisting in the transition here my friend 238 00:16:38,47 --> 00:16:40,07 Stephanie we're transferring her into 239 00:16:40,08 --> 00:16:44,65 a hockey fans who are kind Bringuier providence this year and then that way when 240 00:16:44,66 --> 00:16:46,18 the railroads come in next year she's 241 00:16:46,19 --> 00:16:50,56 a full blown hockey fan and ready to go so and again we're going to be having 242 00:16:50,57 --> 00:16:54,99 events you know with the railer is over the next twelve months we have the skate to 243 00:16:55,00 --> 00:16:57,69 the date which is on October fourteenth which is 244 00:16:57,70 --> 00:17:03,67 a event to celebrate the one year anniversary before our actual first game at the 245 00:17:03,68 --> 00:17:04,08 D.C.U. 246 00:17:04,09 --> 00:17:08,26 Center in two thousand and seventeen so you know we're going to free skate for the 247 00:17:08,27 --> 00:17:08,94 fans 248 00:17:09,19 --> 00:17:15,39 a little state of the Union address for members only and we're going to be 249 00:17:15,40 --> 00:17:19,61 a lot of those type of events throughout the year so if anyone wants any more 250 00:17:19,62 --> 00:17:24,55 information regarding those type of events railer is H C dot com We'll have it all 251 00:17:24,56 --> 00:17:29,32 there were on Facebook or on Twitter the website the whole nine so they'll be 252 00:17:29,33 --> 00:17:33,51 plenty of opportunities just because we're not playing hockey to get involved with 253 00:17:33,52 --> 00:17:36,87 the rail or so of the next twelve months I know you said you worked in the C.H.L. 254 00:17:36,88 --> 00:17:41,08 With the ice dogs before can you kind of describe for the viewers out there that 255 00:17:41,12 --> 00:17:43,94 the difference in play between the H.-L. And the C.H.L. 256 00:17:44,12 --> 00:17:49,06 You know you can fans expect in two thousand and seventeen. Hockey versus what the 257 00:17:49,07 --> 00:17:50,38 Sharks were in the H.L. 258 00:17:50,70 --> 00:17:56,36 You know it's double A Aki if people are confused on what you know the E C H L is 259 00:17:56,37 --> 00:18:00,53 made of that baseball analogy that right kind of takes along the same lines of. 260 00:18:02,41 --> 00:18:06,80 Being AAA and the being double A so right and 261 00:18:06,84 --> 00:18:11,78 a lot of the players that we saw with the Worcester sharks in The Wiz try scats 262 00:18:11,79 --> 00:18:13,61 either started C.H.L. 263 00:18:13,62 --> 00:18:18,60 At some point or even that year I know Wister offense might be familiar with names 264 00:18:18,61 --> 00:18:24,01 like Johnny ward he was in Kalamazoo before the sharks got him that second time and 265 00:18:24,02 --> 00:18:29,24 put up that you know that triptych season before Tampa signed him Dan De Silva had 266 00:18:29,25 --> 00:18:32,10 spent some time in the east C.H.L. 267 00:18:32,64 --> 00:18:38,47 a Number of players Conrad Abbots house or Gregory HANSEN You know Jimmy Bonnell 268 00:18:38,48 --> 00:18:39,78 played in the C.H.L. 269 00:18:39,79 --> 00:18:41,97 So it's a breeding ground for 270 00:18:41,98 --> 00:18:45,93 a younger players that might not be fully rated to play in the American Hockey 271 00:18:45,94 --> 00:18:50,50 League I think it's a younger league it's can be 272 00:18:50,51 --> 00:18:56,67 a little more feisty at times which I know you'll enjoy and I enjoy as well but 273 00:18:56,68 --> 00:19:02,87 it's really competitive and I loved my year in Long Beach 274 00:19:03,66 --> 00:19:07,42 C.H.L. Back then we were affiliated with the Bruins and T.J. 275 00:19:07,43 --> 00:19:12,83 Trevelyan former Wister shark was on that team in Long Beach that year and he ended 276 00:19:12,84 --> 00:19:16,90 up scoring thirty goals in the American Hockey League so I think it's 277 00:19:17,47 --> 00:19:24,13 a league that the spans of Wister will will enjoy and they'll be able to kind of 278 00:19:24,19 --> 00:19:27,60 you know have it become their own like they did the sharks in the ice scouts and. 279 00:19:28,68 --> 00:19:33,86 Seeing Jimmy Bartel retire last year seeing the pictures of him in Rapid City as 280 00:19:33,87 --> 00:19:37,61 last game are quite emotional but seeing him getting 281 00:19:37,62 --> 00:19:44,43 a scouting job with San Jose is definitely something we were all proud of 282 00:19:44,44 --> 00:19:49,00 him for so yeah we were hoping to get. I'm back here and was there but well you 283 00:19:49,01 --> 00:19:55,42 know it's you know war is not close. I have known bones I wouldn't put anything 284 00:19:55,54 --> 00:19:59,78 past him but I was happy for for Jamie to get that scouting it with the sharks 285 00:19:59,79 --> 00:20:04,17 actually his first day was my last day with the sharks so he was 286 00:20:04,18 --> 00:20:08,61 a coworker of mine for one day in the front office but I know what Jimmy was super 287 00:20:08,62 --> 00:20:11,92 thrilled about the opportunity the Sharks gave and you know the sharks were 288 00:20:11,93 --> 00:20:17,51 a great organization they you know they took care of. You know their players and 289 00:20:17,52 --> 00:20:22,87 their staff and you know I was another showing that kind of thing to me for all the 290 00:20:22,91 --> 00:20:27,48 work that he put in with the sharks young players over the years and rewarded him 291 00:20:27,49 --> 00:20:32,81 with that you know scouting position in the front office I know where hoping to see 292 00:20:32,82 --> 00:20:37,69 some of the former Sharks players back here and will stay of playing for the rail 293 00:20:37,70 --> 00:20:43,20 or say mean that door is not closed but that door is always open for. The 294 00:20:43,21 --> 00:20:48,74 opportunity for them to come back because I could tell through the years that they 295 00:20:48,75 --> 00:20:55,14 were dedicated to Worcester and they really cared about hockey in the city and if 296 00:20:55,15 --> 00:20:56,40 you talk to any players or 297 00:20:56,41 --> 00:21:01,44 a lot of players that left was stare for greener pastures and then they ended up 298 00:21:01,45 --> 00:21:03,57 coming back you know and into civil was you know 299 00:21:03,58 --> 00:21:09,08 a prime example of that and if you talk to any of the former ice cats or Sharks 300 00:21:09,09 --> 00:21:12,01 players they'll always tell you that was stirred holds 301 00:21:12,02 --> 00:21:15,47 a special meaning in their playing career and 302 00:21:15,48 --> 00:21:19,77 a lot of players when they retire they either move back here and live here or look 303 00:21:19,78 --> 00:21:24,27 for other opportunities here and I would not be surprised that once the rail or 304 00:21:24,28 --> 00:21:27,60 strop Apoc in two thousand and seventeen that we might have 305 00:21:27,61 --> 00:21:32,90 a former Sharks player or two on that opening night roster you know maybe some of 306 00:21:32,91 --> 00:21:37,26 the veteran guys that can no longer play in the American Hockey League or or even 307 00:21:37,31 --> 00:21:40,39 you know if you're the younger ones that just didn't necessarily pan out the 308 00:21:40,40 --> 00:21:44,83 American Hockey League will make it and another opportunity here with the railer is 309 00:21:44,84 --> 00:21:49,67 and I'm looking forward to that prospect happening it was kind of good to see 310 00:21:49,68 --> 00:21:54,54 matter Owen kind of weird in the Bruins organization last year but at the same time 311 00:21:54,54 --> 00:22:01,29 . Seeing those guys coming back after years away it's good to see them because 312 00:22:01,92 --> 00:22:08,64 it's more than. A fan player relationship it's you could call it 313 00:22:08,65 --> 00:22:12,01 a brotherhood and you know they've become a part of your hockey family 314 00:22:12,42 --> 00:22:17,79 a lot of the players that I had played it was for the last several years they are 315 00:22:17,98 --> 00:22:22,91 you know their first year professional hockey it's you know it's their first taste 316 00:22:22,92 --> 00:22:23,73 of what it's like to be 317 00:22:23,74 --> 00:22:28,37 a professional hockey player and I know how well the fans treated our players over 318 00:22:28,38 --> 00:22:32,21 the years and it's special for them and something that they always remember and 319 00:22:32,22 --> 00:22:37,05 they don't forget and again if you talk to and that was the one thing I think that 320 00:22:37,06 --> 00:22:40,91 was missing in San Jose last year at the American Hockey League level it was in 321 00:22:40,92 --> 00:22:46,04 that minor league hockey feel that we had here was that kind of sense of you know 322 00:22:46,42 --> 00:22:49,23 the second hockey family sort of thing that was missing 323 00:22:49,24 --> 00:22:51,02 a little bit last year there was 324 00:22:51,03 --> 00:22:53,38 a lot of travel with the Barracuda we were on the bus 325 00:22:53,39 --> 00:22:58,39 a ton and you know we didn't have the booster club parties to Christmas parties and 326 00:22:58,40 --> 00:23:05,26 that sort of thing so some of that stuff was lacking. And. I think it was just last 327 00:23:05,27 --> 00:23:09,26 year I think from what I've seen the relatives are more than 328 00:23:09,96 --> 00:23:13,50 a hockey team they are we have H.C. 329 00:23:13,51 --> 00:23:17,38 On the bottom of our logo it's a hockey club it's still doing 330 00:23:17,39 --> 00:23:23,46 a lot more different and unique things and say the sharks of the cats did and I 331 00:23:23,47 --> 00:23:29,86 think that's kind of. Positive to see getting out the organization more seeing 332 00:23:29,87 --> 00:23:32,44 cliff. Make such a big splash in 333 00:23:32,45 --> 00:23:39,11 a city the city that he's made already. Would you agree Oh for sure there's going 334 00:23:39,12 --> 00:23:39,34 to be 335 00:23:39,35 --> 00:23:44,63 a huge commitment by you know Cliff rocker and the rail or it's to the central Massachusetts 336 00:23:44,64 --> 00:23:46,16 community and again I've already seen 337 00:23:46,17 --> 00:23:50,74 a tenfold over the last month and I saw you know nine years you know with the 338 00:23:50,75 --> 00:23:51,89 sharks there's 339 00:23:51,90 --> 00:23:57,06 a commitment here downtown you know changing of the canal district with those two 340 00:23:57,07 --> 00:24:01,62 hockey rinks that are going to host several college hockey teams they're going to 341 00:24:02,05 --> 00:24:05,60 host you know the juniors sharks the junior seders and 342 00:24:05,61 --> 00:24:11,02 a bunch of other local youth hockey organizations and it's going to really help get 343 00:24:11,03 --> 00:24:15,10 that canal district going and mention the religious pub you have the D.C.U. 344 00:24:15,11 --> 00:24:15,52 Center be 345 00:24:15,53 --> 00:24:20,82 a place where our fans can kind of hang out before and and after the game and we're 346 00:24:20,86 --> 00:24:24,79 you know we hope to you know feed our players and kind of have them have 347 00:24:24,83 --> 00:24:30,46 a place that they can go and kind of feel good in grab a bite so there's 348 00:24:30,47 --> 00:24:32,49 a lot of image in the H.C. 349 00:24:32,50 --> 00:24:32,97 It is 350 00:24:32,98 --> 00:24:39,80 a hockey club we're not call and our season ticket holders but they're members and 351 00:24:39,81 --> 00:24:45,75 they're members of the club so it's I'm still we're still learning what that's 352 00:24:45,76 --> 00:24:50,63 going to entail moving forward but I know our our ticket staff fit in Mike Fisher 353 00:24:50,79 --> 00:24:54,11 and Tim and we've got community chill out there doing 354 00:24:54,12 --> 00:25:00,25 a tons of events with tracks our mascot and you know Mike Myers with his experience 355 00:25:00,26 --> 00:25:04,71 and background within the central mass community I feel really good moving forward 356 00:25:04,72 --> 00:25:08,70 that we're going to do things the right way and it's going to be 357 00:25:08,71 --> 00:25:15,35 a trike antic success here come next October and. Some of the like 358 00:25:15,39 --> 00:25:21,98 college players so probably scouting right now looking into next season and 359 00:25:22,02 --> 00:25:28,62 recruiting players and. I know you've interviewed him so what's that process kind 360 00:25:28,63 --> 00:25:32,98 of like from that standpoint Well sorry new general manager head coach Jamie 361 00:25:32,99 --> 00:25:37,44 Russell he's every weekend he's going to three and three or even 362 00:25:37,45 --> 00:25:43,02 a forum for Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday he'll be tracking college hockey 363 00:25:43,03 --> 00:25:45,38 players and he's got a college hockey background he was 364 00:25:45,39 --> 00:25:51,54 a college hockey coach three thousand years Cornell Michigan Tech and in Providence 365 00:25:51,55 --> 00:25:54,85 College before he was a coach at Elmira in the C.H.L. 366 00:25:54,86 --> 00:25:55,65 So he's got 367 00:25:55,66 --> 00:26:01,35 a lot of collegiate connections and his plan over the next twelve months is so kind 368 00:26:01,36 --> 00:26:06,90 of you know pinpoint players so that when the railroads can sign players come June 369 00:26:07,31 --> 00:26:08,56 he's ready to go and have 370 00:26:08,57 --> 00:26:15,19 a list and start attack mode so I'm confident that you know come June and July that 371 00:26:15,52 --> 00:26:17,44 we're going to have a good team or start to have 372 00:26:17,45 --> 00:26:21,100 a good team as we get closer to October and our fans will have an opportunity to 373 00:26:22,01 --> 00:26:27,05 meet with Cheney at the skate of the data events on October fourteenth James can 374 00:26:27,06 --> 00:26:27,15 have 375 00:26:27,16 --> 00:26:32,09 a question and answer session during that time so if you have any questions for Jamie 376 00:26:32,16 --> 00:26:36,76 feel free to write them down on your on your paper there it be ready for me on the 377 00:26:36,77 --> 00:26:43,21 fourteenth. I know October twenty seventeen seems like an 378 00:26:43,22 --> 00:26:50,02 eternity away but there's always. Business going on from your standpoint 379 00:26:50,47 --> 00:26:55,64 trying to get your ducks aligned in order making sure that this is the best opening 380 00:26:55,65 --> 00:27:01,42 night that the city's ever seen so and again it's you know I wasn't quite sure how 381 00:27:01,43 --> 00:27:07,95 busy I would be right off the bat you know starting last month been on for just 382 00:27:07,96 --> 00:27:10,70 over a month now and it's been super busy there's 383 00:27:10,71 --> 00:27:17,18 a lot to do to get ready for next October. And you know every day when there's 384 00:27:17,19 --> 00:27:22,55 a new plan of action our staff is going to grow over the next twelve months there's 385 00:27:23,23 --> 00:27:28,09 there are six of us now but I would imagine the staff you know doubling maybe 386 00:27:28,19 --> 00:27:35,12 tripling in size before opening night so you know community chill it's got advance 387 00:27:35,36 --> 00:27:41,10 just about every day two or three each week at which tracks are mascots so. When 388 00:27:41,11 --> 00:27:41,51 there's 389 00:27:41,52 --> 00:27:45,82 a lot going on just because the puck doesn't drop till next October it doesn't mean 390 00:27:45,83 --> 00:27:49,34 that we're not busy so. This is going to be 391 00:27:49,35 --> 00:27:53,75 a weird question but did you miss all that who knows in the home cooking while you 392 00:27:53,76 --> 00:28:00,58 were out I got into. This. There was a lot of good food choices in San Jose I know 393 00:28:00,59 --> 00:28:07,12 a lot of tacos. But again part of the reason coming back to Wister is I missed 394 00:28:07,75 --> 00:28:08,20 you know you take 395 00:28:08,21 --> 00:28:14,83 a lot for granted the fans the people the coworkers the city the eateries 396 00:28:15,43 --> 00:28:21,22 you know the whole night so it certainly was part of my decision of coming back and 397 00:28:21,71 --> 00:28:26,20 you know I feel like at times I was gone fourteen months but it seems like I was 398 00:28:26,21 --> 00:28:31,41 gone fourteen minutes I'd be back and going to new lows every day or you're out in 399 00:28:31,42 --> 00:28:35,87 San Jose just seems really odd not thinking of you live in there every day so he 400 00:28:35,88 --> 00:28:42,05 would Emily and Michelle and the whole crew but. They're very happy to see you back 401 00:28:42,06 --> 00:28:48,21 we all wanted you back and. We knew when my Mike Myers got 402 00:28:48,70 --> 00:28:53,97 promoted to president that he would hopefully bring you in and your array of 403 00:28:53,98 --> 00:28:58,88 sunshine around that arena and I don't think we would find anybody better than you 404 00:28:59,05 --> 00:29:03,72 so I appreciate Jeremy and again I'm glad to be back and again I'm glad that gets 405 00:29:03,73 --> 00:29:09,98 across from you here today and talk real or Saki So that's part of the minor league 406 00:29:10,48 --> 00:29:14,41 hockey feel which I missed a little bit in San Jose so it's it's 407 00:29:14,42 --> 00:29:19,69 a big family if anything it is it is and I knew when I was in San Jose that 408 00:29:19,70 --> 00:29:25,53 a lot of the Worcester fans were were listening and watching and. It helped me kind 409 00:29:25,54 --> 00:29:30,97 of stay connected to Worcester So I appreciate that. In closing is there anything 410 00:29:31,01 --> 00:29:34,65 out there that the viewers should know about their religion where can they get more 411 00:29:34,66 --> 00:29:40,57 information what is their phone number they can call to ask about memberships area 412 00:29:40,58 --> 00:29:44,81 or anything like that I mentioned the website whalers H.C. 413 00:29:44,82 --> 00:29:49,20 Dot com work cross all the social media channels as well which you can find from 414 00:29:49,24 --> 00:29:53,82 our website so I wanted to direct their one towards our website. I think we're 415 00:29:53,83 --> 00:29:59,41 getting close to eight hundred members right now our goal is fifteen hundred by 416 00:29:59,42 --> 00:30:05,07 February two thousand and seventeen I can't tell you the first one thousand members 417 00:30:05,08 --> 00:30:07,75 will become part of the founder circle which will have 418 00:30:08,03 --> 00:30:13,82 a lot of special kind of entities behind that so we only have 419 00:30:13,83 --> 00:30:18,71 a couple hundred spaces left for the founder circle so all it takes is 420 00:30:18,72 --> 00:30:21,39 a fifty dollars deposit we're going to have quite 421 00:30:21,40 --> 00:30:28,00 a few events between now and the start of the hockey season next year and 422 00:30:28,69 --> 00:30:35,23 you know I like to say hop aboard all aboard. You know full steam ahead there's 423 00:30:35,24 --> 00:30:39,63 a lot going on with the list to rail ors we'd love for you to come be 424 00:30:39,64 --> 00:30:46,46 a part of our hockey club and again really see dot com And so thank you 425 00:30:46,47 --> 00:30:51,26 for coming in today and. Giving the viewers out there 426 00:30:51,27 --> 00:30:58,13 a little more insight into your journey through your career and 427 00:30:58,88 --> 00:31:03,72 spreading the word about the rail or because we want to get that word out there as 428 00:31:03,73 --> 00:31:08,46 much as possible fellow we'll be all set and revved up and ready to full steam 429 00:31:08,47 --> 00:31:14,02 ahead for twenty seventeen I like it and I appreciate the opportunity Jeremy and 430 00:31:14,20 --> 00:31:19,75 your support not only of the sharks and the realists moving forward and I'm sure 431 00:31:19,76 --> 00:31:20,66 a bump into you quite 432 00:31:20,67 --> 00:31:25,70 a few times since we now and the next trailer Savan so appreciate the time and the 433 00:31:25,71 --> 00:31:31,58 opportunity and you know go really or so and thanks again for joining us today Eric 434 00:31:31,59 --> 00:31:35,67 and I want to thank you for watching W C C A T V The people shall.